Last March 2, Gerald Anderson invited the press to the blessing of his first ever business venture, The Th3rd Floor gym, located along Roces Avenue in Quezon City. “You have to be a member para makapag-gym pero ayoko kasi gawin siyang sobrang formal. Let’s build a family and a community here, parang ganun yun. Lahat ng goals niyo, sabihin niyo lang kung ano gusto niyo mangyari and kami, part din ako dun kasi may mga times na ako mismo yung magbibigay ng sessions. Gusto ko i-share sa tao yung tumulong sa akin for all these years, kung may controversy man ako, dun ako pumupunta (sa gym) para makapag-isip,” he shared.

Even though the gym itself is located on the ground floor, Gerald explained why he chose to name it The Th3rd Floor. “Th3rd floor name niya kasi halos buong career ko sa bahay ako nag-wo-workout, sa third floor ng bahay ko. Eh yung gym na gusto ko i-offer sa tao gusto ko sobrang personal sa akin na kung saan ako nagbabawas ng stress, may place ako kung saan ko pinaplano yung goals ko, yung mga gusto ko gawin for the year. So dahil gusto ko sobrang personal siya naisip ko yung third floor ng bahay ko. Pag pumasok kayo sa bahay ko tapos hahanapin niyo ako sasabihin sa inyo ng mga tao, ‘Nasa third floor siya’ kasi kumbaga dun yung recovery time ko, yung mga workout, yung makapag-isip ng maayos. Parang extension ito ng bahay ko, even yung feel ng gym parang bahay ko,” he explained.

Gerald revealed he first got the idea to put up a gym after getting sidelined by an injury last year. Along with his close friend and fellow Pinoy Big Brother alumni Joe Vargas, The Th3rd Floor was born. “Sa simula kasi ng season ng MVPL napunit ko yung hamstring ko and pumupunta ako sa mga gyms para mag-rehab at mag-recover tapos naisip ko na parang gusto ko magtayo ng ganito. Nasa biyahe kami ni Joe Vargas tapos naisip namin, ‘Magtayo kaya tayo ng gym?’ Ganun yun. Hanggang sa natayo na yung gym. Naghanap siya ng location and parang ito yung perfect spot dahil napakalapit sa ABS-CBN and nagpagawa ako ng kuwarto dito para pag may taping ako or may presscon or may meetings ako sa ABS-CBN malapit lang,” he said.

Gerald proudly shared that he was very hands on with the construction as well as picking out all the details inside the gym. “From scratch, bawat electric fan hanggang sa lahat ako nag-design talaga kaya medyo hands-on talaga ako dito. Kaya emotionally invested na ako kasi baby ko na ito eh. Ako yung inspirational side, gusto ko ma-inspire yung mga tao, gusto ko tumulong, yung mga secrets na nalaman ko about fitness gusto ko i-share, si Joe yung business side,” he added.

Part of the gym’s layout also includes a basketball court which is one of Gerald’s favorite spots. “Sa totoo lang, ito yung naging selling factor din ng gym kasi dito rin makakapag-group workout dito sa gym. But para sa mga athletes, once pumasok sila sa pinto, iisipin nila, ‘Para sa akin ito.’ Yung after ng workout puwede kami mag-shooting, which we do everyday and every night. Pangarap ko magkaroon ng court. Ito na yun,” he said.

Apart from helping inspire others to be fit, the talented actor also hopes to help change lives through fitness with his new endeavor. “Pag pasok ng tao dito, pantay-pantay tayo dito, walang artista, walang celebrity athlete. Kung sino ka man, pantay pantay tayo dito,” he said.